The Bible and You

Chuckle: "When you become dissatisfied and wish you were young again, think about algebra!" --Will Rogers

Quote: "A Bible which is falling apart usually belongs to someone who isn't! --C.H. Spurgeon,

"The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes. The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever. The ordinances of the Lord are sure and altogether righteous. They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey from the comb" (Psalm 19:7-10 NIV). Our passage identifies life-changing benefits from spending time in God's Word:

It Revives the Soul (vs.7). To revive, means to bring back to life one who was once alive but has become lifeless. As Christians study the Bible we are revived and we grow spiritually. God's Word gives us reason to rejoice and be glad because of God's love, Christ's sacrifice, and His indwelling presence.

It Makes the Wise Simple (vs.7). To be "Simple" means to be an humble, teachable, open-hearted person." "For the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom. . ." (I Corinthians 1:25 NIV). It gives wisdom/guidance for living. "I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go" (Psalm 32:8 NIV). It gives practical counsel for marriage, parenting, finances, etc. (vs.8). My God, through your precepts and rules on conduct, "You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence . . ." (Psalm 16:11 NIV). The Word will lift you up and give you joy.

It Restores Spiritual Eyesight (vs.8). Sin blinds us to the correct choices and paths in life. "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life" (John 8:12 NIV). Without this light, sin will cause us to stray. "Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path" (Psalm 119:105 NIV).

It Endures for Eternity (vs.9). "The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the Word of our God stands forever" (Isaiah 40:8 NIV). Other books come and go, but the Bible remains. Efforts to destroy it throughout history have all failed and It remains a perennial best seller.

It is Absolutely True and Trustworthy (vs.9). The Bible is as sure and true as it has ever been. It remains altogether right. "All your words are true; all your righteous laws are eternal" (Psalm 119:160 NIV). In our society, many struggle with what's right and what's wrong. However, God's Word deals in absolutes -- right and wrong. Jesus, as the central character of the Bible, said: "I am the way, and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6 NIV). There's no other way to heaven except through faith in Jesus Christ.

It is More Precious than Gold (vs.10). Nothing even comes close to being the treasure that God's Word is. "Karen's mother was startled to find her five-year-old going through a new Bible storybook and circling the word God wherever it appeared on the page. She quietly asked, 'why are you doing that?' Karen's matter-of-fact answer was: 'So that I will know where to find God when I want him." Wouldn't it be nice to open a storybook and find God waiting for us? We have such a book -- the Bible, God's love letter to each of us.

Love, Jerry & Dotse